Rey Ty

I chose my major because … I am able to fuse symbiotically my personal passion, academic interest and professional commitment in matters related to popular education, social justice, human rights and peace.

My favorite professors at NIU are … Dr. Jorge Jeria, Dr. Gene Roth, Dr. Laurel Jeris, Dr. Richard Orem, Dr. Wei Zheng, Dr. Lisa Baumgartner, Dr. Margaret Mbilizi and Dr. Amy Rose.

My favorite thing to do on campus is … do volunteer work when the opportunity arises. I help as a volunteer during the International Student Orientation every semester and during the Parade of Flags in the fall term.

Outside of the classroom, my favorite thing at NIU that really enhances my experience here is … attending rock and alternative concerts at the Convocation Center.

When I have free time, I like to … work on my novels and do Chinese calligraphy art work.

One thing I wish I knew about actual college life before I got here is … the availability of campus resources.

One positive thing I have learned about myself since coming to NIU is … finding happiness and peace in pursuing my passion for justice and skills for development.

If I was guaranteed success, I would ... set up grassroots community organizations in villages around the world so that the poorest of the poor will have the opportunity to be empowered politically and economically by being partners in advocacy and development projects.

After graduation, I plan to … teach, train, conduct research, publish and do volunteer work in matters related to social justice, civil liberties, civil rights, human rights and peace.

The one NIU experience I will always remember will be … how supportive all my professors in Counseling, Adult & Higher Education are. All my professors who facilitate the academic progress and professional development of their students are truly student-oriented.

Area of study: Counseling, Adult & Higher Education

Minor: Popular & Community Education

Other Degrees: M.A., Political Science, M.A. Asian Studies

Hometown: Manila, Philippines

High School: Xavier School

Current Employment: International Training Office

Campus Involvement:

• Annual trip to Rochelle High School with other NIU students to teach students about Southeast Asia
• Charter member, Burma Interest Group of NIU
• Former president and vice president, Southeast Asia Club
• Pan Asian Interest Student Alliance (PAISA)

Highlights, Achievements and Awards:

• Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Division of Research and Graduate Studies, Spring 2007
• Phyllis Cunningham Social Justice Award, Spring 2007
• International Student Opportunity Fund Scholarship, Fall 2006
• Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award, 2006 Midwest Research-to-Practice Conference in Adult, Continuing, Extension and Community Education
• Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars (Zeta Gamma Chapter)
• Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society (Delta Epsilon Chapter)
• Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society

Related Links:

• Counseling, Adult & Higher Education
• Burma Interest Group of NIU